USITC ruling major victory for Bombardier workers

MONTRÉAL – The unanimous vote by the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) to strike down tariffs on Bombardier’s C-Series is a major victory for Bombardier workers and the Canadian aerospace industry as a whole.

“I’m thrilled that common sense has finally won out and that these ridiculous tariffs have been tossed,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “The USITC ruling means that good paying Bombardier jobs can stay in Canada, as there is no longer a need for C-Series production to move to the U.S.”

The decision today by the USITC determined that the import of the C-Series aircraft does not injure the U.S. industry so the near 300 per cent antidumping and countervailing duties recommended by the U.S. Commerce Department are unwarranted.

“The ruling confirms the right of the Canadian and Quebec governments to engage in industrial policy to safeguard jobs and support high tech innovation,” said Renaud Gagné, Unifor Quebec Director.

Bombardier is one of Canada’s largest employers with more than 24,000 workers across Canada, with an estimated 40,000 spin-off jobs at its suppliers.